Battle of Frankfurt

The Battle of Frankfurt (26-29 March 1945) was a four-day struggle for control of the German city of Frankfurt am Main during World War II. General George S. Patton's US Third Army decided to bypass the German stronghold of Frankfurt, leaving it to the US 5th Infantry Division to conduct the main attack as the US 6th Armored Division provided support. On 27 March, the 5th Infantry Division crossed the Rhine under heavy fire and entered Frankfurt, and the two American divisions fought the two understrength German divisions in fierce house-to-house combat, slowly pushing through the city. On 29 March, the city fell to the Americans, but sporadic resistance continued until 4 April. After a short rest, the 5th Infantry Division moved north to continue the Ruhr Pocket encirclement.